Author: Fiona

The Blue Anchor Cod Classic is back for 2018

After a number of successful years, the Blue Anchor Cod Classic Competition, is back in 2018. It will be held in Blue Anchor, Somerset and will challenge all who participate to bring home the biggest catch of the day. All competitors must fish from kayaks, and the lucky winner will receive a fishing spec Fatyak Kaafu. All proceeds will be split between the prize fund and the RNLI.

Blue Anchor Cod Classic 2018 Rules

No Angler shall go afloat without being in possession of and using appropriate personal safety equipment which will include a suitable PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE.

YOU GO AFLOAT AND TAKE PART ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

No more than two rods fishing at any one time.

No more than four hooks fishing at any one time (includes pennel rigs)

Only one cod per entrant will be eligible to be weighed at the scales with a minimum length of 14 inches.

The winner will be determined by the heaviest cod caught then second heaviest and so on.

Entry will be by payment of £20 (cash only) on the day.

It is anticipated that the entrance fees will be split 50/50 between the prize table and the RNLI.

Sup Mag have reviewed the Fatyak Samos and this is what they have to say…

“Rotomoulded stand up paddle boards aren’t a new concept. Back at SUP’s inception a few overseas brands had some kicking about. Somerset based Fatyak, however, are the first British company to bring a plastic board to market and it’s the Samos we review here.

Anyone familiar with sit on top kayaks may have heard about Fatyak. Offering a bunch of sit down paddle designs it was only a matter of time before a FY SUP appeared. The Samos is an unusual looking beast. A myriad of chines and channels run through the hull and deck giving a slightly ‘tech’ appearance. Fixtures and fittings are similar to what you find on FY’s kayaks with an overall finish that’s polished and high end.

With its 10 feet of length and 36” inches of width(!) the Samos is a stable platform to say the least! You literally have to run off the Samos to fall off it. Combine this with a planted feel and there aren’t many boards that could rival it in terms of composure. Heavy weights, and newbies at that, should have no trouble getting to grips with SUP if learning atop a Samos.

Sweeping forwards and there’s a bulk of thickness up front in the nose area. This keeps the Samos locked in and directional. Together with the hull’s chines tracking is pretty good and even allows the Samos to be paddled sans fin. You do gain further efficiency when actually using the US box skeg but it’s nice to be able to use the Samos without in barely a foot of water – great for teaching anxious beginners who don’t like going out of their depth.

Manoeuvres are achievable – there’s certainly no reason why SUPers can learn to pivot turn and be proactive with footwork – it’s a livelier sled than you’d think. And while you could of course take the Samos into small waves it’s not really the board’s forte.

Learning to stand up paddle, cruising and even loading up with fishing gear and/or touring essentials are where the Samos really fits the bill. With such a stable platform it’d be a crying shame not to utilise this. And don’t forget the board’s construction lends itself to harsh environments making it great for rock hopping and craggy coastal discoveries.”

Terms and Conditions:

Kingspan Environmental Ltd warrants to the original owner of the Fatyak Kayak that any part of the boat that is defective in material of workmanship will be repaired without charge at Slade Way, Roughmoor Industrial Estate, Wiliton, Somerset, TA4 4TB.

This warranty shall apply for a period of 3 years on the deck, hull and parts from the date of retail sale. Any warranties from suppliers of parts supersede the Kingspan Environmental warranty.

This warranty covers use under the normal conditions and does not cover damage caused by accident, alterations or misuse.

Freight to and from the manufacturing plant is at the owner’s expense. The serial number is located on the moulded-in safety transfer.

In the event of a warranty claim we can trace back through our manufacturing process with the unique serial number.

In order to be covered by this warranty customers must register their product serial number(s) via this link https://fatyak-kayaks.co.uk/fatyak-warranty-registration/.

The Man Outdoors Reviews the Fatyak Samos SUP

Another great review just in from The Man Outdoors for the Samos Stand up Paddle board. Thinking of purchasing this SUP? Have a read…

“The Fatyak Samos (SUP) stand up paddle board is aimed to bridge the gap between inflatable and epoxy SUP Boards already on the market. Concentrating on robustness, stability and easy of use the Samos is perfect for the budding and novice paddler and ideal for rental users.”

Displaying how easy it is to get back on the Fatyak Samos with the central handholds and the boards natural stability

“I have never paddle boarded before trying the Samos. I had tried surfing about 10 years ago for a weekend in Newquay. Starting out I just kneeled on the board, first impressions of it’s stability was very impressive. I could happily rock the board from side to side with no fear of it flipping over. On the day, I was with my brother who had his jetski. We did a number of experiments of him circling me creating some pretty choppy water, which the board handled very well, both kneeling and standing.”

Even for taller or larger paddlers, the board is still stable and buoyant.

“Myself at 12.8 stone and my brother at 16.8 stone had no isues on the board, it offered high levels of buoyancy all day. As you can see from the photo below, using the built in handles on either side and the moulded in handle in the centre of the deck, remonting in deep water was very easy. Simply pull yourself up on to your chest and swing your legs on to the board. At no time did I think the board was going to flip over on top of me.”

Remember if you remove wildlife from the water (crabs, starfish for example), always try and put them back where you found them if you can. Starfish when left out of the water, dry up fast. If you are watching larger wildlife, take care not to disturb or anger them. Swans have been known to be fairly agressive when startled!

What is the best animal or bird you have spotted whilst out in your kayak?

Bodyboarding in Style

The Hönö Bodyboard is so strong and durable that you can use it for a wide variety of boarding options – including wakeboarding!

We had these images sent in from a happy customer who spent a fantastic day out on the Hönö behind a boat!

The Hönö handles are robust enough to withstand the weight of an adult being towed. Could it get better than this?

The calm before take off..

This is a great alternative boarding technique for those with access to a boat but might not have the skills to perform stand up wake boarding yet. It is a great entry-level activity for kids and adults alike who might want to wakeboard one day but need to get used to being towed in the wake of the boat first.

Due to it being rotationally moulded out of tough plastic, the board with withstand bumps and high speeds (up to 20mph for this lady!) without the danger or snapping like cheap boards.

The Hönö is an eco-friendly option when it comes to boarding, as it can be used for multiple seasons (Fatyak have a warranty of 3 years on this product). To have fun in the snow, sand and sea, it is one of the most versatile fun boards on the market and worth every penny!

Stratford Sea Cadets test out the Fatyak Kaafu

Stratford Upon Avon Sea Cadets are part of the UK’s oldest nautical youth charity, and the cadets have been trying out the Fatyak Kaafu.

This is some of the feedback the cadets have given us:

‘Loved it!’ ‘I like how you can pull your knees up.’ ‘It’s really smooth on the water.’ ‘You can go really fast.’

The staff also loved it and they found that for some of our more nervous beginnings the sit on top Fatyak Kayak offers a good starting point as they can often feel a little claustrophobic in a standard kayak and worry about getting out if they tip.

So thank you so much, the cadets are having so much fun on the Fatyak and will continue to do so all summer.

Every year Stratford Sea Cadets take part in the Stratford-upon-Avon River Festival. This is a huge event for the town and being Stratford it is also a big draw for tourists and the river is right at the heart of the town. Every year there are cadets on the river in their rowing boats and kayaks demonstrating their skills. This year there will be a cadet on a Fatyak and also a stand within the festival area on the river bank publicising the Sea Cadets, recruiting new cadets/volunteers and fundraising. Fatyak will be providing a Hono Bodyboard for a raffle prize plus other great givaways!

For more information about the Stratford River Festival, which will be help on the 1st and 2nd of July 2017 click here.

Are you part of a club or charity that could benefit from support from Fatyak? As well as being involved with many great causes over the UK, we also offer great trade rates for clubs or businesses wishing to purchase a fleet. Drop us a call or email us and we can go from there.

Wild Tide Review the Fatyak Samos SUP

Wondering whether to get the Samos Stand up Paddleboard and would like some really in-depth analysis of how the board handles, the pros and cons and how it compares to similar boards on the market? Read on…

Here are some excerpts from Wild Tide’s review for the Samos SUP.

“When it arrived I was not disappointed. The colour is fantastic. I chose the Light Blue version, however, you can also get this in orange, green, yellow and red. When it arrived, I was dying to try it out and check out the features included. Vicky and I made the most of the good weather this weekend and headed to the beach, SUP included. Out on the water, the Samos proved a success.”

“Now obviously, you wouldn’t compare a £400 10′ sit on top kayak to a £2500 16′ touring sea kayak or even a 5’6″ white water freestyle kayak. So in the same way there is no point comparing the Samos to a fibre glass board or an inflatable one. It’s all horses for courses and they all suit different purposes. Of course you can get lighter, faster and more agile boards, but I honestly don’t know if you can get one that is so accessible and is so much fun. I will be comparing the Fatyak Samos to my other SUP which is rotationally moulded and made by Body Glove.”

Tough, forgiving and fun!

“The big one and it’s a huge one for me, is durability. As far as I’m concerned SUP is all about mucking about on the water, exploring, playing and having fun. The Samos does all these things brilliantly. It is possible explore caves, rocks and every nook and cranny of the shore, safe in the knowledge that you wont do much more than put a little scratch on it. You can hand it over to any family member confident that they wont be able to kill it. You can (and we do this a lot) paddle up next to your friend and jump between SUPs. It’s very tough, it’s very forgiving and it’s very fun.”

The Perfect Teenager’s Birthday Present!

What to get a teenager for their birthday? A day out kayaking.

“The guys loved it”

“We went to the Outdoor Shop in Coombe Martin and hired some Fatyaks from them. What a great way to enjoy the beautiful coastline and enjoy the sunshine. The guys loved it, all equipment was provided and of the highest standard. Mike the guide was very knowledgable and I felt very comfortable leaving them all in his safe hands. Vince was accommodating from booking and the whole experience was faultless. Would highly recommend, what else can you do with tardy teenagers that does not involve a computer?! Thanks guys 😀

The lads thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, even managed to some jumping off of cliffs into the sea. They were out for 2.15 hours and given the sunshine and physical effort required, were well and truly worn out afterwards. The boys certainly earnt their fish and chips!”

They said:

“It was great fun!”
“We went miles and even paddled through some caves!”
“It was brilliant, but we did not see any seals on our paddle – they must have been hiding…”
“When can we do it again?!”

A day out kayaking was a brilliant teenager’s birthday present. We will certainly be doing it again soon!

Fatyak Warranty Update

We are proud to announce that we are now increasing the warranty on all of our kayak and board range. The warranty will go from 12 months to 36 months and is effective immediately. This reflects the confidence we have in our range of products.

Our kayaks and boards are long lasting and are designed to handle a lot of wear and tear. Over recent years of developing and selling our products we have constantly improved our quality control process, as well as our manufacturing process.

Quality Control

To make sure we can back up our claims of a high quality product (as well as the glowing reviews we get from the community!) we implement a 4 stage quality check system throughout the manufacturing process. This ensures that the Fatyaks are fit for purpose in every way. All products undergo inspection for moulding defects, visual examinations by the shift leader, examinations as bagged or stored, as well as an examination on dispatch. Additionally, each Fatyak undergoes a check against 3 key criteria as part of a customer-focused approach to assess potential risk. These include:

– Functionality, such as performance and longevity.
– Aesthetics, considering how the product will meet our customers’ expectations.
– Legal requirements, ensuring that the product complies with or exceeds necessary standards.
And if any defects are discovered are recorded against the product’s unique serial number and investigated – allowing us to amend process, implement training, or increase control checks if needed to stop any further failures.

Our quality checking system is independently verified by external auditors to the British ISO 9001:2008 standard. With this, you know we can be relied upon!

Each of our products has an unique serial number printed on it. This helps with identity, so in the unlikely event of a warranty claim, making it easy trace back through our manufacturing process.